Well after perusing the catalog I really didn't see anything that I really liked, actually I did but it's apparently not going to be for sale. I seriously doubt that many of those who "voted" for the winning design either will buy one at $85 or even have trains. It was a social media ballot and many times those are loaded simply with friends and coworkers who really don't care other than helping a friend win, which is a shame because it might taint the waters for another design your own contest in the future.
As a design for the 115 anniversary it lacks anything that says...
115TH ANNIVERSARY !!!
No prominent dates, no Lionel Trains other than the L and a small emblem on the door, lackluster graphics, boring same old, same old color scheme and the same look on both sides.
The second place one has many of the themes that make it special enough for an anniversary car and while at priced $85 a pop, for a one time car like this is not too outrageous. The third place winner while very patriotic really doesn't say anniversary either, it would make a great Independence Day car tho. I think it relied to much on the Go Team USA effect and missed the mark as an anniversary offering too.
I don't mean to sound harsh or too critical I think the ball got dropped on this one for an item that could have really been a stand out car. Lionel if you do revisit this idea please don't use social media, it's way too easy to stuff the ballot box, I know, I have been guilty of doing the same but for a much more noble endeavor and it lost out for pretty much the same reasons and our side came up short against an at best questionable opponent.
Well, that's my opinion on the subject, a little long but at least I didn't complain about a door placement or wrong style of headlight or a road name that never had one of those whatever it might be
.
Jerry
